Sachin Tendulkar (God for Cricket Lovers in India and across the world) scored his 100th century in International Cricket in style today, silencing all his critics forever.
In a One Day International match against Bangladesh, played in Mirpur, Dhaka, pregnant with heavy expectations, Sachin finally took the burden off his shoulders and reached a milestone that will stand the test of time.
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| Sachin Tendulkar scored Century of Centuries |
No man - ever - has scored a century of centuries. Sachin is the man.
People break records. Sachin Tendulkar creates records.
I was lucky enough to watch Sachin scored his century in style. As he progressed slowly in the tricky 90s, the entire nation held its breath and prayed that Sachin did not falter on the final steps.
Sachin Tendulkar conquered his mind and did not let the nation down. Taking a single of Shakib Al Hasan, Sachin became the first man (and maybe the only man ever) to score 100 100s. He looked up to God Almighty to thank Him for this stupendous success.
Sachin was modest in his celebrations. Yet, he would have been immensely happy on reaching his milestone. Most importantly, he told the world that the milestone was for his country.
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| Sachin Tendulkar 100th Century |
To look back, Sachin has been playing international cricket for the last two decades.
Sachin made a classical debut against Pakistan way back in 1989. At a young age of 16, Sachin faced the battery of Imran Khan and co, and showed a promise to reach great heights.
Sachin made excellent progress over the years and became the most feared batsmen for bowlers around the world. You can recollect the Desert Storm innings by Sachin, where he knocked the steam out of Shane Warne in Sharjah in the mid 90s.
Sachin has always been hungry for more success. He echoed one thought - Yeh Dil Maange More.
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| Sachin Tendulkar Yeh Dil Maange More |
Sachin launched a thousand cricket careers. Sachin gave many a bowlers sleepless nights. This video says it all.
Sachin's commitment to cricket has been exemplary. During the 1999 World Cup in England, Sachin lost his father. Sachin came back to India to complete his responsibilities, and flew back to England in a few days. In the next immediate match, he scored a century, blessed by God and his father. Need we say more.
In the 2003 World Cup, Sachin powered India into the finals, right from the doorstep of being knocked out in the first round. India lost in the finals, and Sachin's dream of winning the Cup for India was still unfulfilled.
India was knocked out of the 2007 World Cup in the early stages. The entire nation feared that a player as illustrious as Sachin would have to retire without a World Cup win under his belt. Sachin had other things in mind.
And in 2010, Sachin became the first man in the world to score a double century in One Days. He had achieved a feat which was unheard of.
And come 2011, the hopes of the entire nation rested on Sachin and Dhoni's men to win the Cricket World Cup 2011. Dhoni's men won the World Cup in style, sending the nation into a state of delirium.
The players did it for one man - Sachin Tendulkar.
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| Sachin Tendulkar World Cup 2011 |
And as Sachin Tendulkar pursued his century of century for the last 1 year, the chatter for his retirement kept on growing. Sachin, however, persisted. Dhoni kept his faith in the master blaster.
And today, Sachin achieved the impossible. Sachin scored his hundredth century. He achieved a mind boggling record.
Sachin Tendulkar has created a name for himself in the annals of history. A name that can never be erased.
Let's have a look at Sachin talking about his mega achievement.
Let's have a look at Sachin talking about his mega achievement.
It is not without reason that people say in India - Cricket is a religion, Sachin is the God.
Sachin has knocked the antics of the shameless Mamata Banerjee from the first page of the news papers. Sachin has taken of the glam (or disappointment) from today's Union Budget.
And tonight as he sleeps, he can sleep peacefully with the hope that he has realized peoples expectations from him, if not anything else.
Finally, it would be worthwhile to recollect this quote.
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"When Sachin Tendulkar travelled to Pakistan to face one of the finest bowling attacks ever assembled in cricket, Michael Schumacher was yet to race a F1 car, Lance Armstrong had never been to the Tour De France, Diego Maradona was still the captain of a world champion Argentina team, Pete Sampras had never won a Grand Slam.
When Tendulkar embarked on a glorious Career taming Imran and company, Roger Frederer was a name unheard of, Lionel Messi was in his nappies, Usain Bolt was an unknown kid in the Jamaican backwaters.
The Berlin Wall was still intact, USSR was one big, big country, Dr Manmohan Singh was yet to "open" the Nehruvian economy.
It seems while Time was having his toll on every individual on the face of this planet, he excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will."
- Author Unknown
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P.S. It has come to notice that Pakistan bowlers have ordered several packets of Huggies from the local pharmacy. Believe me, it won't help. The hotel staff would have to deal with wet beds for the next two mornings.
